Good news! Canada has just announced its immigration levels plan for 2024-2026. The good news is that immigration levels will remain the same as current targets. In 2024, Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new immigrants, and this number will increase to 500,000 in 2025 and 2026.
These objectives are in reality the same as those announced in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025. However, new information released today provides updates on the specific levels of immigrants who will be admitted to each class and program from 2024 to 2026.
Objectives of the 2024-2026 economic immigration program
Let’s break down immigration goals by class. In 2024, approximately 281,135 immigrants (about 58% of the annual target) will enter the economic category. By 2026, this number will reach 301,250 immigrants (60% of the annual target).
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Low end | Top of the line | Target | Low end | Top of the line | Target | Low end | Top of the line | |
| Highly Qualified Federal | 110,770 | 90,000 | 116,000 | 117,500 | 96,500 | 124,000 | 117,500 | 96,500 | 124,000 |
| Public policies | – | 0 | 3,000 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Federal Affairs | 5,000 | 3,500 | 7,000 | 6,000 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 6,000 | 4,000 | 8,000 |
| Economic drivers | |||||||||
| Caregivers; Agri-food pilot project; Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Project; Economic Mobility Lanes Project | 10,875 | 6,500 | 14,500 | 14,750 | 9,000 | 19,750 | 13,750 | 9,000 | 19,750 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 6,500 | 4,000 | 9,000 | 8,500 | 5,000 | 13,000 | 8,500 | 5,000 | 13,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 110,000 | 105,500 | 117,000 | 120,000 | 113,000 | 130,000 | 120,000 | 113,000 | 130,000 |
| Skilled workers and businesses in Quebec | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||
Now let’s talk about Express Entry And Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets. In 2024, the Express Entry target is set at 110,700 permanent resident admissions, which will increase to 117,500 immigrants in 2025 and 2026. The PNP target will be 110,000 immigrants in 2024, and 120,000 in 2025 and 2026.
Family sponsorship objectives 2024-2026
THE family class the target for 2024 is 114,000 immigrants, representing 24% of all admissions. This number will also increase to 118,000 immigrants by 2026, still representing 24% of all admissions.
In terms of sponsorship of spouses, partners and children, the objective for 2024 is 82,000 entries. This number will then increase to 84,000 immigrants in 2025 and 2026. In addition, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has a target of 32,000 immigrants in 2024, followed by 34,000 immigrants in 2025 and 2026.
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Low end | Top of the line | Target | Low end | Top of the line | Target | Low end | Top of the line | |
| Spouses, partners and children | 82,000 | 77,000 | 88,000 | 84,000 | 79,000 | 90,000 | 84,000 | 79,000 | 90,000 |
| Parents and grandparents | 32,000 | 27,000 | 36,000 | 34,000 | 29,000 | 42,000 | 34,000 | 29,000 | 42,000 |
| Total family | 114,000 | 105,000 | 130,000 | 118,000 | 107,000 | 135,000 | 118,000 | 107,000 | 135,000 |
Humanitarian, refugee and protected person targets
As for humanitarian admissions, the target for 2024 will be 89,865 immigrants, or approximately 19% of all admissions. This includes refugees, protected persons and persons admitted for humanitarian or other reasons. By 2026, the target will be 80,832 immigrants, or 16% of admissions.
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Low end | Top of the line | Target | Low end | Top of the line | Target | Low end | Top of the line | |
| Protected persons in Canada and dependents abroad | 27,000 | 24,000 | 38,000 | 29,000 | 26,000 | 40,000 | 29,000 | 26,000 | 40,000 |
| Resettled refugees – assisted by the government | 21,115 | 16,750 | 26,000 | 15,250 | 12,000 | 17,000 | 15,250 | 12,000 | 17,000 |
| Resettled refugees – privately sponsored | 27,750 | 20,000 | 31,000 | 28,250 | 23,000 | 32,000 | 28,250 | 23,000 | 32,000 |
| Resettled refugees – Mixed mix recommended by visa office | 250 | – | 400 | 250 | – | 400 | 250 | – | 400 |
| Total refugees and protected persons | 76 115 | 66,000 | 93,000 | 72,750 | 64,000 | 80,000 | 72,750 | 64,000 | 80,000 |
| Total Humanitarian & Compassion and Others | 13,750 | 9,000 | 17,500 | 8,000 | 6,500 | 12,000 | 8,000 | 6,500 | 12,000 |
Why no change in immigration targets?
The Canadian government’s decision to keep its targets unchanged is based on the goal of balancing economic growth with pressures in the areas of housing, health care and infrastructure. The government wants to ensure responsible and sustainable population growth.
Starting in 2026, permanent resident levels will be stabilized at 500,000 to enable successful integration while continuing to support the Canadian labor market. The government also plans to recalibrate the number of temporary resident admissions to ensure the sustainability of the immigration system.
It should be noted that under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the Canadian government must publish its annual immigration plan by November 1 in non-election years.
New and improved immigration system
Canada is taking steps to improve its immigration system with a new strategy called the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan. After recognizing the flaws in the current system, Immigration Minister Marc Miller presented the pillars of a modernized approach in a strategy titled “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.”
This strategy has three main objectives: creating a more welcoming experience for newcomers, aligning immigration with labor market needs, and developing a comprehensive growth plan. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to provide a more pleasant and friendly experience to its clients.
They also want to align immigration policies with Canada’s skills and labor strategy. Additionally, the IRCC aims to coordinate a plan between all levels of government to ensure there is adequate housing, health care and infrastructure for the growing population of newcomers.
Since 2015, under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, immigration targets have been raised to 300,000, then to 340,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the pandemic, Canada broke its record for permanent resident admissions in 2021, welcoming 405,000 new immigrants.
Canada Immigration Target 2024-2026 offers hope to many people who want to immigrate to Canada. You can book a consultation with our licensed Canadian immigration consultant if you need advice regarding your immigration application. You can also visit our news section to know the latest Canadian Immigration News and stay informed of the most recent announcements from IRCC. Contact our approved experts here.